MARTIN COUNTY — A 15-year-old Stuart resident was arrested Wednesday, June 10 in connection with a series of burglaries and thefts in four Martin County communities, according to a Martin County Sheriff’s Office Facebook posting.
The teen is accused of committing crimes in Rocky Point, New Monrovia, Emerald Lakes and along Salvatori Road.
Investigators said the suspect specifically targeted Kia vehicles, causing thousands of dollars in damage by destroying steering columns while attempting to steal the cars.
The arrest came after road patrol deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person in one of the affected neighborhoods. When deputies tried to make contact, the suspect fled on foot, leading to a brief chase before he was taken into custody.
Detectives later linked the teen to multiple burglaries and thefts that had raised concerns among residents. Surveillance footage frequently showed a suspect wearing dark clothing and attempting to conceal his identity.
The teen faces five counts of grand theft auto, eight counts of burglary and one count of grand theft. He was booked into the Martin County Jail and later transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice, authorities said.